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Weekly Reflections: The Value of Psalm 51

I no longer have the responsibility of preparing and preaching sermons. But, I still have a habit of studying scriptures and writing out my thoughts to share with anyone who cares to listen. I have challenged myself to read the Ante-Nicene Fathers. For the first 300 years of the church, such writings were relied upon to instruct believers on true doctrine as the writers were of the same and one or two generations after the apostles. Even though these books were not included in the final list of New Testament books, they do provide the foundation from which our Holy Bible was founded on. Thus, the books of the early church fathers are very much worth reading to see how to live as a Christian. Besides, anyone can look up and read these books for free.

Clement, the fourth bishop of Rome and a disciple of Peter

Starting from the top, the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians defines Christian life by being sober minded and serious about the faith. Moderation, habitual hospitality, and being well grounded in knowledge are characteristics for all believers; not just the clergy. Division due to emulation and envy must be rejected. While bishops, priest, and deacons are to be held in respect, all are to be humble. Without humility, we make ourselves more vulnerable to sin. Clement gives examples of humility, the greatest of which is Jesus Christ Himself. He also holds up the prophets, Job, and Moses as worthy examples with biblical text references from Genesis, Exodus, Job, and Isaiah among others*.

David is also held up in chapter 18 (the chapters are no more than a few paragraphs, so don’t be intimidated to read this book). Keep in mind that this was the man that was after God’s own heart. He was God’s anointed and through his line came Joseph who was the surrogate father of our Lord. Yet, when caught in his sin, David pours himself out in one of the most heart felt cry of remorse and repentance. The 51st (50th in the Septuagint Old Testament translation) was a common prayer among the early church, thanks in part to Clement’s epistle. David the human ancestor of the Savior offered it. As we are a part of the family of the Lord and seek to follow Him, certainly these words are good enough for us when we acknowledge our sinful state whether we killed a man to cover up our adultery or lusted for someone or something.

Among Orthodox Christians, this psalm is still given as part of daily and weekly prayer disciplines. All Christians would do well to make this prayer and the humble mind frame of David, the other saints, and, above all, Jesus Christ a part of our new lives. Talk to your pastor or priest.

The grace of the Holy Trinity be with you.

I welcome comments and questions

(*If you have access to an English translation of the Septuagint, please read it in conjunction with the OT found in most English Bibles. There are sections where the translations are very different)